There’s something very special about arriving at a destination before the hustle and bustle begins, observing the preparations and witnessing the work in progress. For this year’s Salone del Mobile, we took the new Range Rover Sport SV on a road trip from Munich to Milan. For me, it’s the most comfortable way to travel relatively short distances, offering the freedom to plan your trip, choose your departure time and pack as lightly or as heavily as you like, among many other advantages.
We chose to stay at The Portrait Hotel, a property located in the heart of Milan and part of the Lungarno Collection, owned by the Ferragamo family. Situated between the vibrant Corso Venezia and the elegant Via Sant’Andrea, it’s just a five-minute walk from Villa Necchi Campiglio, where many events will take place during Design Week.
The hotel itself is a source of inspiration for those working in the fields of architecture and design. This year’s Salone del Mobile installation by architect Bjarke Ingels, a stunning mirror installation focusing on reflections and the consequences of our actions, promises to be the centrepiece of the hotel’s charming courtyard, Piazza del Quadrilatero, once a 16th century seminary.
Portrait Milano, as part of the Leading Hotels of the World, goes beyond the typical luxury hotel experience; it’s an urban retreat that envelops you from the moment you enter the courtyard, with its living-room-style reception and rooms decorated in the cosy Milanese style of the 1950s and 1960s. Rattan panels, walnut furniture and black and white photographs capturing the essence of Italian dolce vita adorn the space. African sculptures and Asian artworks are thoughtfully displayed alongside coffee table books on a variety of topics from fashion to art, which are meticulously curated throughout the hotel.
Entertainment options abound, including a Longevity Spa with a stunning pool, vibrant jazz bar Rumore, the acclaimed Beefbar restaurant and the 10_11 Restaurant with a lush garden.
Wherever your eyes wander, you will discover a detail of design and it will be a pleasure to browse through the many coffee table books that are laid out on shelves and tables as if in the world’s most stylish bookshop. It is tempting to spend the day reading at the hotel.
Thank you Jaguar Land Rover Deutschland GmbH for the support.
Range Rover Sport SV
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions according to WLTP* (max. combined): P635 AWD 4.4 liter V8 twin-turbo petrol engine 467 kW (635 hp) 12.5 l/100 km; 283 g/km